Presumably a joke about self-isolation? (Except they are not isolated from each other?)
The comic date is 11/27/2019. Too early for a self-isolation gag (in the West).
Well then it might be climate change. But this seems like a relatively thriving island, not one about to disappear under the rising oceans.
The traditional desert island gag shows one or two blokes on a tiny island with a single coconut tree. It is infeasible for anyone to live there for more than a few days before they die of thirst. This joke shows a larger island with multiple trees. The larger the island, the more feasible that they could survive there. Thor is complaining about the loss of tradition.
Winter Wallaby, I had not noticed that…I just assumed it was recent. Hunh. No idea then.
I read it about the way Pete did.
“The traditional desert island gag shows one or two blokes on a tiny island with a single coconut tree.” @Pete, the traditional desert island gag with the single tree is apparently based on the old plastic “turtle pond” thing you could buy in Woolworth’s. The little island in the middle had a little plastic palm tree.
I’m pretty sure the joke is that this is a lush and fertile island and they can comfortably live their lives out on it (except they can’t really) unlike a typical deserted island gag of the type Pete describes and to which Thor is clearly alluding. But exactly *how* that works into a joke, I’m not sure. If anything I’d say the “deserted island gags” are *not* feasible as the island is just too ample and supportive.
“he traditional desert island gag with the single tree is apparently based on the old plastic “turtle pond” thing you could buy in Woolworth’s”
Surely the turtle pond is based on the desert island anecdotes?
Has there ever been a ‘traditional deserted island gag?’ Although the island is empty (except for the poor fella who finds himself there), I’ve always thought it was a ‘desert island.’ The use of ‘deserted’ makes this a CIDU for me.
I used to patronize an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant that had a dessert island. . . .
“desert island” and “deserted island” are synonyms and both commonly you used in the same circumstances in my experience. The one advantage/disadvantage of “deserted island” is you can’t misspell it as “dessert island”.
Of course, in Edgar Eagers “Half Magic” it’s not really feasible that the children would find themselves on a deserted.
“I’ve always thought it was a ‘desert island.’ The use of ‘deserted’ makes this a CIDU for me.”
“Desert” in that sense means, “A tract, which may be capable of sustaining a population, but has been left unoccupied and uncultivated; a wilderness; a solitary place.” (Websters unabridged, very old.) It does not mean what we normally use “desert” to mean. Thus “deserted” is a modern word with the definition that was intended all along.
Edward Eager. (Big fan.)
And further cheers for Edward Eager!
Yeah it’s desert island, not deserted island. Deserted would imply somebody lived there and abandoned it. I don’t understand the strip either though.
Comics I Don't Understand 
Yes, I checked the PM box instead of the AM box.
Whoops.
Presumably a joke about self-isolation? (Except they are not isolated from each other?)
The comic date is 11/27/2019. Too early for a self-isolation gag (in the West).
Well then it might be climate change. But this seems like a relatively thriving island, not one about to disappear under the rising oceans.
The traditional desert island gag shows one or two blokes on a tiny island with a single coconut tree. It is infeasible for anyone to live there for more than a few days before they die of thirst. This joke shows a larger island with multiple trees. The larger the island, the more feasible that they could survive there. Thor is complaining about the loss of tradition.
Winter Wallaby, I had not noticed that…I just assumed it was recent. Hunh. No idea then.
I read it about the way Pete did.
“The traditional desert island gag shows one or two blokes on a tiny island with a single coconut tree.” @Pete, the traditional desert island gag with the single tree is apparently based on the old plastic “turtle pond” thing you could buy in Woolworth’s. The little island in the middle had a little plastic palm tree.
I’m pretty sure the joke is that this is a lush and fertile island and they can comfortably live their lives out on it (except they can’t really) unlike a typical deserted island gag of the type Pete describes and to which Thor is clearly alluding. But exactly *how* that works into a joke, I’m not sure. If anything I’d say the “deserted island gags” are *not* feasible as the island is just too ample and supportive.
“he traditional desert island gag with the single tree is apparently based on the old plastic “turtle pond” thing you could buy in Woolworth’s”
Surely the turtle pond is based on the desert island anecdotes?
Has there ever been a ‘traditional deserted island gag?’ Although the island is empty (except for the poor fella who finds himself there), I’ve always thought it was a ‘desert island.’ The use of ‘deserted’ makes this a CIDU for me.
I used to patronize an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant that had a dessert island. . . .
“desert island” and “deserted island” are synonyms and both commonly you used in the same circumstances in my experience. The one advantage/disadvantage of “deserted island” is you can’t misspell it as “dessert island”.
Of course, in Edgar Eagers “Half Magic” it’s not really feasible that the children would find themselves on a deserted.
“I’ve always thought it was a ‘desert island.’ The use of ‘deserted’ makes this a CIDU for me.”
“Desert” in that sense means, “A tract, which may be capable of sustaining a population, but has been left unoccupied and uncultivated; a wilderness; a solitary place.” (Websters unabridged, very old.) It does not mean what we normally use “desert” to mean. Thus “deserted” is a modern word with the definition that was intended all along.
Edward Eager. (Big fan.)
And further cheers for Edward Eager!
Yeah it’s desert island, not deserted island. Deserted would imply somebody lived there and abandoned it. I don’t understand the strip either though.